Forestry is an industry that offers great career opportunities. Find the one that fits you here.

Meet Sarah-Jane

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Meet Sarah-Jane .

“I wish I’d known about forestry as a career opportunity sooner! I made the move to forestry after working for a Regional Council and the Department of Conservation. Looking after people and the environment has always been important to me and it’s great to work in an industry where those values are top priorities.”

Work almost anywhere.

There are great forestry jobs right around the country.

Meet Emily

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Meet Emily.

“I’m basically a disease specialist. I study what diseases affect pine plantations, track them and the climatic conditions that encourage disease and find controls and solutions. I love the large-scale, long-term approach of the forestry industry – it takes about 25 years from seedling to harvesting!”

Earn as you learn or study.

On-the-job or tertiary training works well for everyone.

Meet Shaydan

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Meet Shaydan.

“I’m doing my NZ Certificate in Forest Harvesting and have started training on the Hauler. I really enjoy these amazing machines, the people and the challenges. I was looking for something different and I’ve found it.”

Earn as you learn or study.

On-the-job or tertiary training works well for everyone.

Meet Amy

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Meet Amy .

“I graduated with a Bachelor of Forestry Science degree, and since then new opportunities and experiences have created a rewarding career in forestry. I now have my dream job as Production Manager, working with a fantastic team and loving the challenges that my dynamic and ever-changing environment brings.”

Work almost anywhere.

There are great forestry jobs right around the country.

Meet Tynan

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Meet Tynan.

“I sharpen a wide range of cutting tools and maintain some of the machinery in the saw mill. The job’s not going to get done if the saws aren’t sharp – we’re the heart of mill. I was 17 when I got the job – it was really good coin for a young fella.”

Indoors or Outdoors?

Work inside, outside or a bit of both, Forestry has it covered.

Meet Henry

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Meet Henry.

“I love everything about my job - working in the outdoors, working with the bros, making new friends and I get to work all over the place. No two days are the same.”

Indoors or Outdoors?

Work inside, outside or a bit of both, Forestry has it covered.

Pick three things that interest you and check out forestry jobs that might work for you

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Your career as an environmental manager

Environmental managers look after the wider forest environment, and ensure any valuable water resources and environmental features are protected and enhanced, especially during forest operations.

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Earning Potential

$55,000 – $140,000

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Qualification Required

Degree or diploma

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Physically Demanding

Mix of office and on-site work

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Absence from home

Varies with employer

See more

Talk to someone in the know

www.wenita.co.nz

Wenita is a long established, successful forest management company, seeking to continually improve its operations, systems, and customer experiences. We are proud to offer a safe, supportive and rewarding environment for our staff and contractors and we’re committed to operating as a sustainable, widely respected business in our community.

Name  Kate Rankin, Chief Financial Officer
Phone 03 489 3234

www.competenz.org.nz

We work with more than 3,500 employers and 12,000 learners around New Zealand each year to build skills, careers and business.  We partner with forestry industry associations (Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA), NZ Forest Owners Association (FOA), NZ Farm Forestry Association (NZFFA)) and members of the industry to help recruit and build talented employees. This support includes promoting careers and identifying potential trainees.  We also ensure the forestry industry’s qualifications continue to meet needs, support industry events like local graduations, and regularly celebrate learners’ success.

www.panpac.co.nz

Pan Pac Forest Products is an innovative forestry business located in Hawke’s Bay. We add value to our natural resources and have a strong focus on sustainability. As New Zealand’s largest integrated forest products company, we offer over 200 different roles providing excellent career pathways at all levels in forestry.

Name Kayla O'Dowd, Senior Recruitment Advisor

 www.NZIF.org.nz

NZIF represents NZ's Forest Professionals. We provide a forum to exchange ideas, opinions and information. We encourage and help our members attain and maintain the highest standards of their profession. NZIF is the oldest association in NZ, established in 1927 and our membership is open to those who work in all aspects of forestry, including forest management and utilisation, processing, research, education and consulting. We have a number of special interested groups under our umbrella including Future Foresters.  We are focused on ensuring the sustainability of all forests.

Name James Treadwell, President
Phone 022 043 4511

 www.manulifeim.com/timberland/new-zealand

Manulife Investment Management Forest Management (NZ) Limited (MFM (NZ)), formerly Hancock Forest Management (NZ) Ltd is one of Aotearoa’s largest forest managers overseeing approximately 200,000 hectares.  Roles in our business span from planting and tending, road construction and maintenance, harvest planning and harvesting, trucking and distribution, resource planning, GIS, environment and safety.  Our people are our greatest asset and when hiring we value practical hands on experience just as much as formal qualifications.

Name Jo Burrell, Human Resources Manager

www.ernslaw.co.nz

Ernslaw’s forests are located on the East Coast, Southern North Island,  Otago/Southland.  As a family-owned business, there is a focus on people, quality and smart solutions.  We offer career opportunities across the whole forestry lifecycle, from seed to sale with a focus on safe, environmentally sustainable practices and providing great career paths for our people.  Whatever your skills and passion, there is a place for you at Ernslaw.

Name Angela Lees, Human Resources Manager
Phone 0275 510 859

www.jnl.co.nz/

JNL is a vibrant, integrated company with intensively tended forests. We create a high quality pruned resource, enabling our processing plants to manufacture premium wood products for the domestic and international markets. We require motivated people as we improve our forest management practices, ensuring we meet the demands of our mills and processed product consumers.

Name Sean McBride, National GM Forests
Phone 027 499 2931

www.aratuforests.co.nz

Aratu Forests is the East Coast’s largest forest company with a freehold land base of around 35,000 hectares.  The management team consists of 30 staff including an inhouse waste thinning crew. Aratu offers an opportunity to work in a tight knit team experiencing management in some of the most challenging but rewarding forestry environments in NZ. 

Name Neil Woods, Chief Executive
Phone 021 274 9997

www.futureforesters.com/

Future Foresters is a group of young people in the forestry industry who aim to connect with other young/new foresters to provide networking, professional development opportunities and to promote forestry. We can provide insights into the industry and how to get involved in it. We are passionate about forestry and love connecting people.

www.facebook.com/JForestryServices

Johnson Forestry Services Ltd (JFS) primarily offers services in Establishment, Silviculture and Woodlot Management. We run two Forestry courses: the first is the Pathways course, targeting year 11, 12 & 13 students looking at a career in any aspect of the forest industry.  The second is a 6-week course offered to anyone interested in a career change, we offer Industry Training and assessment by a registered Forest Industry trainers and assessors.

Name Steven Johnson
Phone 027 234 3877

www.turanga-ararau.org.nz/akoranga-programmes/forestry-programmes/

Turanga Ararau is an Iwi owned education and training provider based in Te Tairawhiti (Gisborne/ East Coast region).  Turanga Ararau provides forestry education and training:  Level Two introductory forestry programmes; Level Three industry aligned programmes (silviculture, harvesting, mensuration) and     Level Four micro-credential programmes specific to forest operations management.  In 2023 we will offer Whakatiputanga Ngahere programme that is aligned to the New Zealand Diploma in Forest Management Level 6.

Name Henry Mulligan, Forestry Training Manager 

www.scionresearch.com

Scion is a professional forestry research organisation, full of talented and motivated individuals from around the world,  undertaking innovative science that contributes to New Zealand. If you are a New Zealand university or polytechnic student, we recommend you keep an eye out for our Summer Studentship opportunities in September and October each year. These and other openings vary depending on the needs of research projects and scientists. If your skills and studies fit one of these opportunities, we would love you to apply.

Name Bradley Pandy, Senior Organisation and Learning Development Lead
Phone 07 343 5416
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